Jessica Fox reaches for remarkable in Paris

Rebecca Archer

Welcome to The Remarkables, Grant Thornton's podcast that seeks to uncover stories about remarkable people doing incredible things for their community, bettering the world for future generations, and inspiring others to do the same. I'm Rebecca Archer and I am so excited for today's episode. Joining us is Olympic Gold Medallist, ten times Canoe Slalom World Champion, and Grant Thornton Brand Ambassador, Jessica Fox. Jess joins us after just getting home from Paris, where she won two gold medals in Canoe Slalom. The team at Grant Thornton are so proud of Jess and they're thrilled that she's representing our brand in our campaign that's launching this month. Welcome back to The Remarkables, Jess.

Jessica Fox

Thank you. It's good to be back. There’s been a lot that's happened since I was last on!

Rebecca Archer

So of course we were all glued to our televisions in the early hours of the morning to watch you compete. What you achieved was just truly remarkable, in every sense of the word. Now that you've had a bit of time to reflect, what are some of the biggest highlights for you?

Jessica Fox

Thank you firstly, to everyone who got up in the middle of the night at an ungodly hour to watch us and send us good energy through the TV, because it was an incredible Olympics. And to pick one highlight is so hard, because for me, there were so many moments in those games that were just surreal. They were a dream. They were everything that I'd worked for. And then others were just this beautiful surprise and a huge honour. For example, to be flagbearer and be out on the Seine with our team and lead us out was just nothing I could have ever imagined. And then to back that up and win two gold medals individually, achieving, for me, that was my dream, to get to those Olympics and put down those performances, but then seeing my little sister do it as well and qualify for the games, compete at the games and then win the games, it was just so many highlights. It's very hard to pick one.

Rebecca Archer

As a family of Olympians, as you now are, and now with your little sister in the mix as well, what are the dinner table conversations like?

Jessica Fox

At the moment we still just kind of look at each other and go, did that happen? Did that really happen? We're all still on this high and re-living it and getting to share it with everyone, because that's one of the, I think most special things – is to come home, to be, you know, seeing our neighbours, seeing the people who have supported us here who weren't at the games, seeing the kids on the water and just being able to share it with everyone has been so nice. But, yeah, within the family, it's still something that we are very.. we're proud of, we're excited about and we still can't quite believe it, I think. But to have been able to share that all together in Paris was unbelievable. Dad was there doing commentary, Mum was there on ground as coach, and then obviously, you know, Noemi and I supporting each other, but, yeah, unbelievable.

Rebecca Archer

And it must feel a bit like a home away from home in Paris, given the family connections.

Jessica Fox

Yeah, a little bit. I mean, we had some family and friends who were there, people coming from the UK as well, from Dad's side, and then we had heaps of Aussies there, like so many Australians were there in the crowd, which I didn't expect. I had some friends who flew all the way over and it was just so special to have the crowd there again after Tokyo. We really missed that atmosphere. But, yeah, the connection for us was truly special and made these games so unique. You know, going into it, we knew that they were going to be a special Olympics for that reason, to have that connection, but to actually then have the games that we did, it was just this fairy tale. It couldn't have been scripted better.

Rebecca Archer

What was it like competing with your sister?

Jessica Fox

It was the best. When she qualified in June, I said it was the best day of my life because I knew we were going to be able to share this experience together. But then actually getting there in Paris, training together in the lead up, going through all those, sort of, exciting milestones as a first time Olympian for her, I got to kind of re-experience that again. You know, getting your uniform, trying it all on, getting into your accommodation and getting all the goodies and then, you know, opening ceremony competition time. When we actually came head-to-head in the race, though, I was really annoyed and upset because I didn't want to be versing her so early in the competition. We both had this moment of like, ah, frustration. But it then turned into this really beautiful experience because I thought how special to be racing against or with my sister at the Olympic Games together doing it, you know, I just feel so grateful to have been able to experience that and then to see her go through each round and win the Olympics and be the proudest big sister it was really this joy that was different to my own joy for my medals. And I think we will remember that forever.

Rebecca Archer

Yes. Not many families can say that they've had an experience like that. That is for sure. Now, you are everywhere at the moment, Jess. Obviously, you've got sponsors like Grant Thornton, Adidas, Red Bull, Toyota, and we've also seen you hosting the Today show, and we've seen you at the Logies and on the red carpet. How are you finding time to fit all of this in?

Jessica Fox

Well, something's got to give, and that's been sleep! So it's been really busy coming home, but it's been such a whirlwind and, yeah, really exciting. Like, so many opportunities and exciting projects and challenges and things that scare me. You know, going on the Today Show and hosting, presenting the sports news for the week was not something I thought I would be doing when I arrived home. But the opportunity came up and it was something that scared me, and I said, okay, yeah, let's do it. I love a challenge. Let's get this experience and see what it's like. And it was, yeah, really enjoyable. But in terms of being everywhere, yeah, it has felt like I've been doing a lot and also kind of seeing myself a lot, which was bizarre, because when I was in Paris and when I was in that lead up, I wasn't immersed in that. I wasn't seeing it. I was seeing it a little bit on social media, but I was getting sometimes some posts, friends sending me photos, but actually seeing a billboard, like the Grant Thornton Reach for Remarkable billboards and things was so cool to see at the airport, and the support has been unbelievable. So, yeah, I'm very grateful for that. 

And Dad and I were actually talking about the Reach for Remarkable campaign yesterday because I told him I was doing the podcast, and he said, isn't it funny? Like, the Reach for Remarkable, that's exactly what you did this year. And throughout the games, it kind of was something I connected to because the Olympics was so big, the moment was so big, the opportunity that was there, I could have seized it, or I could have, you know, potentially crumbled and not been able to perform like I wanted. And just the idea of reaching for that and believing that I could achieve something remarkable was something that I was reminding myself constantly. So, yeah, it's really nice now coming back and seeing all these, all the support that was there while we were overseas and in our bubble, to see it now and be here and connecting with everyone is really cool.

Rebecca Archer

And are people stopping you on the street to congratulate you?

Jessica Fox

Yeah, people come up and they're like, oh, could we please get a photo? And we watched you at the Olympics, so it's really lovely, but it definitely reminded me that I can't just go outside in my slippers and looking like a slob. I need to make sure I'm presentable because people are asking for photos.

Rebecca Archer

Well, congratulations too, on being elected to the International Olympic Committee's Athletes Commission. How does it feel to be elected by your peers, to represent them?

Jessica Fox

That's a huge honour and there's a lot of responsibility that comes with that. A lot of opportunity as well, to try and make an impact and support the athlete community the best way I can. I was previously appointed onto the commission, but now to have the support of my peers and be elected, that's kind of next level. So it's really very special. And, yeah, I'm looking forward to working with the commission and working with the athletes over the next eight years towards Brisbane 2032. So it's a very exciting time for sport internationally, but for Australia, especially, as we look towards Brisbane.

Rebecca Archer

And as an Australian member, you will be on the organising committee for Brisbane. What are some of the things that you're passionate about implementing?

Jessica Fox

I've had experience at four Olympic Games now. I remember the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the impact that that had. So I think it's the athlete perspective that I bring and, you know, really ensuring that the athlete experience in the lead up during and post games can be the best that it can be. And, you know, the impact that we can have with Brisbane is pretty phenomenal on the sporting landscape, but also on that legacy of Australian sport for the future generation, because I'm one of those Sydney 2000 generations who watch the games and I know that the kids who are watching us in Paris are going to be the ones in Brisbane 2032. So, yeah, I'm really looking forward to that opportunity to be part of the Brisbane team and to, yeah, give I guess, my experience, share my experience on what makes the Games so special and the impact that we could have.

Rebecca Archer

We talked a little bit last time about the pressure and how you handle the sort of stress when you race. What sort of pressure did you feel in Paris, both internally and externally?

Jessica Fox

There was definitely a lot of pressure and I think it was similar in Tokyo. I definitely felt pressure and probably the most pressure I'd ever felt. So coming into Paris, I knew that was going to be there again. Obviously, when you're coming in as well, number one and reigning Olympic champion, you know, the expectations are there. The media loves the story of “can she win three gold medals? Can she win two gold medals?” And so, yeah, I had to be ready for it. And I did a lot of work mentally to try and embrace that and use it positively and not feel overwhelmed, oppressed, drained by it. So there was a fine balance between, you know, doing the media and saying all the things that I was feeling and then switching off and not reading anything, staying in my bubble, focusing on myself not on my competitors, not on the external side of things. But pressure is a privilege. And I think I love and hate it in a way. You know, I hate the feeling of the nerves and feeling sick and the doubt that comes with it, but I also love that feeling of satisfaction when you're able to mentally get yourself into the right state to perform and put down a race that you're really proud of under pressure on that one day every four years. You know, it's not something that most people can understand because in daily life, you know, you might get a second chance to fix a mistake or something. But for us, it really comes down to that one moment. So, yeah, I did a lot of work mentally, and it came down to just trying to embrace the moment, enjoy the moment, and do the best that I could on the day, because I'd done the work and I could be proud of that effort.

Rebecca Archer

And in a sense, are you competing with yourself? I mean, you're considered the greatest individual paddler of all time. So is there a bit of, well, I need to beat my own numbers and my own personal bests?

Jessica Fox

Yes and no. I mean, we're in a sport where we don't have PB’s or world records to sort of beat. It's everyday. Every race is different. The course is always going to be different. So the times are going to be different. And one athlete might race their best race ever on that day. And that's what makes our sport really exciting. So there's an element of, for me, let's see how good I can be today. Let's see what, you know, what I can make of this challenge. So I'm always competitive with myself in seeing how good I can be. And, you know, what I can improve on my semifinal race, between the semi and the final and things like that. But then I'm also really driven by my competitors. If I hear that one of them has done a really good time, like I did during the race in Paris. I heard one of the competitors times and I thought, wow, okay, the bar is set. I need to chase that.

So that also motivates me. But in terms of, like, the records of most medals won and things like that, I don't really think of those, because it's something I can't control, but I just try and stay focused on my own performance and what I can do. And hopefully that means standing on the top of the dais if I've done everything right.

Rebecca Archer

Social media obviously played a really big part in the games this year, and certainly when it comes to driving engagement. How did you find that experience?

Jessica Fox

It's a good question because you can go too far with social media and find yourself sucked in and down a rabbit hole or potentially even overwhelmed because you're reading comments, or you're spending too much time there and it takes away your focus from what you're actually meant to be doing. But then there's also a really great way of sharing your experience and giving everyone back home, or people who might not know your sport or might not even be interested in the Olympics, a glimpse into what it's like during those two weeks. So for me, it was about using that. I enjoy social media, so I wanted to share what I was up to and what it's like being in Paris during that time, what it's like to compete and, you know, maybe do some funny videos or some silly things just to yeah, make fun of a very serious situation in a way. Like, it's. It's a good distraction and a good break, but you've got to find the balance.

And I think some athletes, you know, they really seized the opportunity to grow their brand, grow their profile during the Olympics, and others don't like social media at all and need to stay focused, and so they don't use it. But I think I'm in the middle.

Rebecca Archer

Well, two of the big things that emerged from social media when it came to the games this year were the comfort of the beds in the main village, where they really like cardboard? And truthfully, how good were the chocolate muffins?

Jessica Fox

Yeah, those were the two viral moments, weren't they? So the village beds were the same as Tokyo, actually, we had those beds in Tokyo, and they're cardboard bases. But there's obviously a mattress and a mattress topper that goes on top of it. They were made that way for sustainability reasons, and I actually think they were great. I like a hard bed, so I didn't mind it, but I know some athletes found them a bit too hard. And then in terms of the chocolate muffin, look, it was good. It was. It tasted like a Woolies mud cake, to be honest. Like, it sort of reminded me of Woolies mud cakes. But, yeah, I think France has so many other delicious patisseries and things that I thought it got a little bit overhyped. And also it was really hard to find because so many people are out there trying to get it.

Rebecca Archer

Now that you've got the final World Cup event coming up, are you back into training or have you given yourself a bit of a break? What does your schedule look like?

Jessica Fox

I had a little bit of a break after my races because it was the last week of the Olympics. We were doing media, we were doing. We were going to events and celebrating and things, and then I got home and was swept in a week of media and different opportunities. So I got back on the water and I got back in the gym this week, which was really nice to get the body moving again. So I had a bit more of a, I'd say mental break, because I've been doing different things and it was really good to get on the water. The weather's been beautiful, and I've been kind of paddling with different people and just getting the feel back, which has been nice. But, yeah, we go back overseas for the last World Cup event, so I need to make sure I'm, you know, feeling good before I head over, but I feel like it'll come back.

Rebecca Archer

Okay. So I want to now move into a bit of a rapid fire round. Our Grant Thornton team really want to know the answers to a few questions. The first one, what led you to choosing to represent Australia at an international level as opposed to your birth country, which, of course, is France?

Jessica Fox

I don't think this is going to be a rapid answer, but I think, you know, I was born in France, but we moved to Australia when I was three and we've lived here ever since. So for me, it was natural. I feel Aussie. I've grown up here, went to school here, came up through the sports system in Australia. So it never felt like a choice to, you know, race for France or Australia. It was just natural for me to race for Australia because I, you know, started my junior racing here. And so I feel very much, very Aussie, even though, you know, I've got my, my roots in France as well, and I feel connected there. Yeah, definitely more of a green and gold representative.

Rebecca Archer

What are you going to do with your gold medals?

Jessica Fox

Well, at the moment, they're just in my handbag all the time because everyone wants to see them. So, I mean, not all the time, but a lot of the time. So I think they'll probably just be accessible for a while, and then I need to figure out how to display them because I've got six of them now, and they need to be, you know, displayed somehow rather than just sitting in a sock drawer.

Rebecca Archer

What is your favorite meal to eat before you compete?

Jessica Fox

I mean, very plain. It's very plain. Nothing that's going to upset my stomach. And even on race days, even plainer food. It's like toast. Things that are not going to upset my tummy.

Rebecca Archer

Okay, what are your favorite tunes to help you get psyched up and really ready for a race?

Jessica Fox

Well, it's something that's changed over time, actually. I didn't listen to anything in Paris because I think I was too hyped. You know, I had to kind of, like, bring myself back down a little bit because the atmosphere and the music at the venue was already a lot. So I didn't listen to anything, but otherwise it was always based on... So in London 2012, Coldplay was like one of the theme music, and I think it was Charlie Brown, the song Charlie Brown. And every time I heard it afterwards, it just brought me back to that moment at the Olympic Games, my first Olympics, the feeling that I had there, the excitement, the pride. And so, yeah, since that moment, that's sort of been my, like, hype song/Olympic song. That reminds me of what it was like to be at my first games and sort of brought me back into that moment. And I listened to it a little bit in Paris at one point, but around the racing, I was just very much trying to calm down as opposed to heart myself up.

Rebecca Archer

I think audiences were getting a real sense that there was this incredible atmosphere of camaraderie amongst the Australian athletes. Is that true? Was everyone just having a great time and really geeing each other up and making new friends like it looked like?

Jessica Fox

Absolutely. And I was so proud of this team. We really. Well, we were the most successful Olympic team ever, which is just incredible. And I think there was a great mix of, you know, new Olympians, fresh Olympians going to their first games, and more experienced Olympians who were engaging with the newer ones and, you know, supporting them and sharing experience. And it felt really special to be in, like, our team HQ area, getting a coffee, hanging out, watching sport, and just sort of mingling with different athletes and supporting each other. There was this, I think, you know, Anna Meares, our Chef De Mission, she created an amazing culture within the team to lean in and support each other and, yeah, I think there was great moments like when an athlete would come back and they'd won a medal, the team would get downstairs and cheer them back into the HQ. Or if athletes were leaving, like the water polo girls leaving for their gold medal game, you know, everyone was downstairs cheering them as they left and the music was going and it was just really beautiful witnessing those moments of the team rallying together and supporting each other.

Rebecca Archer

It's really. It just sounds so special. I think that the question that's probably on most people's mind right now is what's next for Jess Fox?

Jessica Fox

Yeah, as soon as I finished my race, they were like, what's next? Like, oh, let me relax, let me enjoy this moment. And I think I've sort of been in that mode of like, I'm sitting with this achievement because it's been such a huge moment in my career and it deserves its own moment. You know, it deserves to kind of marinate and digest in a way. So that's been the goal of the last few weeks and obviously back into training for the next race. Next year we have the World Championships in Penrith, September, October time. So that'll be the next major goal and the next focus on the way to LA. But, yeah, I think what's next is enjoying the rest of the season and enjoying the different challenges and opportunities that come up that will excite me, that I want to do, that are going to challenge me. And there's obviously a lot of work as well with the IOC Athletes Commission and the AOC and Brisbane teams. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to being home and spending some time with all the different people and groups that I'm part of.

Rebecca Archer

You're, of course, also studying for your MBA. And with your recent hosting gig, the presenting gig on the Today show, is it something that you think you might like to do more of in the future?

Jessica Fox

Yeah, I actually, I deferred the semester while I was at the Olympics, so I still not studying, but yeah, I'll be back to reality soon. And with the presenting role, I think that was. Yeah, it was fun. I enjoyed it. It was a challenge, like, I made a lot of mistakes, but at the same time, it was cool to be in that live tv environment and have to kind of, you know, deal with whatever came up and react. And it felt similar to, like a competition in a way because you're in that pressure environment. So I really enjoyed that. I didn't enjoy the 3:00am starts, so I'm not sure breakfast television is in my near future, but I appreciated the opportunity and loved working with the team on the Today Show.

Rebecca Archer

Were you aware that while the games were happening, there were some Sydney, New South Wales media publications saying that Penrith had won more gold medals than certain countries? Did that make it back to you?

Jessica Fox

Yeah, it did. It was like the Fox sisters. If Penrith was on the medal tally, we'd be like 15th or something. So that was pretty funny. Yeah, I did see that. And, you know, Penrith, the Penrith community were all very proud of us and it was super special. We love our sport out here and it's like Panthers territory with the NRL, but it's also Fox territory now, so it's pretty cool to come back here and see all of that and engage with everyone.

Rebecca Archer

And just finally, one quick last question. We were getting a sense through the publicity around the games that Australia was really obviously punching above its weight and that other country’s athletes were saying, “how is Australia so good at all of these different sports”? Were you finding that that's a question you were all getting amongst the team from other countries athletes as well?

Jessica Fox

I think Australia's always been, you know, a strong Olympic country, but definitely Tokyo, you know, was an amazing games for us and then here we went even better. And when you look at, like, our population compared to the US or China, France, like, we're doing incredible compared to some of these countries. So I think, you know, that perspective, people definitely noticed. And what they also noticed was the performances of the women on the team. You know, we had some phenomenal female athletes putting out some great performances. We're putting a lot of gold medals. So it was really special to see that and to, yeah, I think put Australia on the map, on the tally, but I'm not surprised, to be honest. I think there's a lot that we're proud of and that we do well in sport. But it is interesting compared to some other countries, we don't have the same sport system as some other countries who have athletes who are ‘professional’. They're in an army system or police system or navy system, which pays the athletes to be professional athletes, whereas in Australia, it's not the same structure. So it's actually remarkable that we do so well, considering, in a way.

Rebecca Archer

Well, Jess, it has been such a delight to talk with you again. The whole country is so happy for you and so proud of you and we just wish you all the best and I'm sure we'll keep seeing you everywhere.

Jessica Fox

Thank you.

Rebecca Archer

If you liked this podcast and would like to hear more remarkable stories you can find. Like and subscribe to The Remarkables podcast by Grant Thornton Australia on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Leave us a review or ideas on who you'd like to hear from next. I'm Rebecca Archer. Thank you for listening.